Research Study on Factors Facilitating Participation of Women in ...

Factors Facilitating Participation of Women in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS 137Outcomes of Participation in MGNREGSOutcomes of women’s participation in MGNREGS is a systematicprocess by which one can assess to what extent the objective(s) of theprogramme are achieved and what impact the former has made on theeconomic, social and psychological fields of women. To document theoutcomes of women participation in MGNREGS, data on the changes inquality of life (like incomes, food, clothing, health, education, housing etc.)and changes within and outside environment of women are collected.In all the parameters of quality of life, majority of the respondentsreported moderate change; however, the outcomes varied across the sampledistricts. In Gaya, major change was observed in the income levels and alsoin the quantity and quality of food intake followed by expenditure on clothing,health and education. Very minimal changes took place in the area ofhousing. Similar trend was observed in other two sample districts of Thrissurand South 24 Paraganas with varying degrees of change. But when it comesto Mahaboobnagar in almost all parameters, responses reveal that changeshave occurred moderate and significant.Change in Other Areas Within and Outside Environment of Women Dueto Participation in MGNREGSAny development programme will impact not only the quality ofliving of the beneficiary but also the factors contributing to the empowermentwithin and outside the environment women deal with. Few indicators ofempowerment like leadership qualities, mobilising skills, negotiation skills,decision making skills, financial management skills, resource mobilisation,political participation, mobility, membership in VDOs, self-confidence,competence and self-esteem were measured posing few questions beforethe participation in MGNREGS and at present. An attempt was made toscore the responses of the respondents for the outcomes and the changesthat took place within and outside environment of women due toparticipation in MGNREGS. The average score is 11.9 per cent beforeparticipation in MGNREGS and increased to 47.4 per cent with participationin MGNREGS. Before participation in MGNREGS, the score ranged from 2RS 97